Prishtina, 25 September 2023
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, today participated in the commemorative meeting in honor of the policeman who fell in the line of duty, the Hero of the Republic of Kosovo, Afrim Bunjaku.
This day, he said, is the day when the highest state and national honors will be given to the policeman Afrim Bunjaku, because together with the sorrow and pain, we feel pride and trust for Afrim and for all the police officers of the Kosovo Police.
At this commemorative meeting, under the patronage of the Minister of Internal Affairs, Xhelal Sveçla, the President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani Sadriu awarded post-mortem the highest order to Afrim Bunjak, Hero of the Republic of Kosovo.
The full speech of Prime Minister Kurti.
Your Excellency Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, President of the Republic of Kosovo,
Honorable Glauk Konjufca, Speaker of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo,
Honorable Xhelal Sveçla, Minister of Internal Affairs,
Honorable Gazmend Hoxha, General Director of the Kosovo Police,
Dear Bunjaku family, wife Lumnija, daughter Arbenita, sons Jetlum and Fatlum,
Dear representatives of the diplomatic corps,
Dear representatives of the government cabinet,
Dear members of the Assembly of the Republic
Dear police officers, colleagues of Sergeant Afrim Bunjakut
Dear citizens,
Dear attendees,
Ladies and gentleman,
Sisters and brothers,
Yesterday, Sunday, September 24, 2023, has gathered us here today and spiritually with all of Kosovo to honor the work of Afrim Bunjaku, a member of the Kosovo Police who fell in the line of duty. Today is a day of mourning in our country, due to the common sorrow and pain for Afrim Bunjaku, our police sergeant who we lost yesterday. But today is also the day when the highest national honors will be given to the policeman Afrim Bunjaku, because along with the sorrow and pain, we feel pride and trust for Afrim and for all the police officers of the Kosovo Police. For our police who, with their professional and courageous actions yesterday, prevented a wider criminal and terrorist scenario.
Let’s say it clearly today, as yesterday: Afrim Bunjaku was killed during an attack on the Kosovo policemen and on our state itself, by a group of heavily armed and heavily equipped, professionally trained and planned, politically supported, materially financed and logistically supported by Serbia. The professional response of our Police resulted in the elimination of several terrorists and criminals, the arrest of several others and the neutralization of their entire group, as well as the confiscation of many weapons and other logistical support tools.
From yesterday, nothing can be the same anymore, the facts came out right in front of us, in our eyes and in the eyes of the international community as well as in the eyes of everyone who has the courage and will to see the truth of the region in which we live.
This professional and measured reaction of Kosovo’s institutions yesterday was in accordance with the very nature of our democratic and pro-Western state.
Afrim Bunjaku, 50 years old from Samadrexha of Vushtrri, was married and together with his wife Lumnije Haziri, were parents of three children: Arbenita 25 years old, Jetlum 18 years old and Fatlum 10 years old. The latter inherited the name of his brother Fatlum, who was 17 years old when he lost his life in a traffic accident in 2012.
After completing the Kosovo Police Service School in 2001, Afrim Bunjaku served at the police station in Vushtrri until May 4, 2007, when he was promoted to sergeant. Sergeant Afrim Bunjaku continued his service for seven years as a team leader at the police station in South Mitrovica until 2014, when he returned to Vushtrri to serve as an instructor at the Kosovo Academy for Public Safety.
From 2015, Afrim served as the leader of the response team at the Vushtrri police station, while from January 6, 2023, Afrim Bunjaku was assigned to the police station in Zveçan, in the position of supervisor of the patrol team. Fully 22 years spent in the uniform of the Kosovo Police, that is, from 2001, until the day when he fell while performing his duty with this same uniform, are years of service and sacrifice that make Afrim Bunjaku a hero: a hero of the Republic of Kosovo!
Today, in front of and next to the photograph with the portrait of Afrim Bunjaku in the police uniform of our Republic and in front of his heroic deed, we bow with honor and respect, as well as pledge for justice and memory.
We do what we want because we have to. Legality and constitutionality, peace and security, for all and sundry.
Glory to Sergeant Afrim Bunjaku, the hero of the Republic of Kosovo!
Thank you.
Last modified: September 25, 2023